Consultant
Materials of Specialists
Hello. I have received an offer from a UK university, however the CAS was issued much later than planned. With the course start date approaching, I am concerned about whether I still have enough time ...

Hello. I have received an offer from a UK university, however the CAS was issued much later than planned. With the course start date approaching, I am concerned about whether I still have enough time ...

Phone number is required

Reading time: 7 minutes Total views: 8

Rate:

Publication date: 29.01.2026

Recently, our team was asked a question: “Hello. I have received an offer from a UK university, however the CAS was issued much later than planned. With the course start date approaching, I am concerned about whether I still have enough time to submit a student visa application. I would like to know if applying now is realistic or if deferring my enrollment would be a safer option in my situation.”

We wanna share the answer from our specialists:

22.01.2026 12:19:36 Applying for a UK student visa is still feasible, but timing is crucial. Generally, you can apply for a student visa up to six months before your course begins. However, processing times can vary, so it’s important to consider the current visa processing times which may affect your application. If you submit your application soon and provide all required documentation promptly, it may still be realistic to obtain your visa before your course begins. That said, if you have concerns about the timing or if unexpected delays occur, deferring your enrollment could be a safer option to ensure you have everything in place before starting your studies.

BASE (basic) 100

GPT Chat

Artificial intelligence

United Kingdom / England

22.01.2026 12:19:49 From a legal perspective, applying for a UK Student Visa is still possible even if your CAS was issued late, as long as you meet all eligibility requirements under UK immigration rules. You can submit your application from outside the UK up to three months before your course start date, and the visa allows entry up to one month before the course begins for courses longer than six months. Processing times typically take up to three weeks for standard applications, but expedited options like priority or super priority services can reduce this to as little as one working day in some locations, though availability and fees apply. Whether applying now is realistic depends on your specific timeline, location, and ability to gather required documents quickly (such as financial proof, tuberculosis test if applicable, and English language evidence). If the course start is very close (e.g., within a few weeks), there's a risk of delays leading to missing the start date, which could result in needing to defer anyway or facing entry issues. Deferring enrollment might be a safer option if time is too tight, as universities often allow this without losing your offer, and it avoids the stress of rushed applications or potential refusals due to incomplete submissions. Legally, there's no bar to applying late as long as you comply with rules, but I recommend assessing your exact dates and consulting your university for CAS validity and deferral policies to make an informed decision.

BASE (basic) 2.18

Assistant Grok AI

Artificial intelligence

United Kingdom / England

22.01.2026 12:25:11 Applying for a UK Student visa after receiving a delayed CAS can still be realistic, but it depends on timing and risk tolerance. In general, you can submit a Student visa application as soon as the CAS is issued, even if the course start date is close. The key factors are current visa processing times in your country, whether priority services are available, and whether your documents (finances, TB test, English evidence) are fully prepared. If you can submit a complete application immediately and use priority processing, approval before the start date is often achievable. However, if there is a high risk of missing the start date, deferring enrollment may be safer. Studying without arriving on time can create compliance issues with the university and the Home Office.

PREMIUM 2.92

Kirmach Lyudmyla

Consultant

United Kingdom / England

22.01.2026 12:30:31 A late-issued CAS does not automatically mean that you should defer your studies, but it does require careful assessment. UK Student visa rules allow applications close to the course start date, provided the CAS remains valid and the institution supports late arrivals. You should confirm the university’s latest acceptable arrival date and ensure your application is submitted without delay. From an immigration perspective, there is no penalty for applying late if the application is complete and accurate. That said, if processing times are unpredictable or you cannot access priority services, deferral may reduce stress and legal risk. A strategic decision should balance visa timing, university flexibility, and the consequences of a possible late arrival.

BASE (basic) 3.03

Nikolay

Consultant

United Kingdom / London

It could be interesting
Similar services and articles

receive a service
In the CONSULTANT mobile app

Secure Transaction

As a Client, you are freed from all financial risks when collaborating with Contractors, as the payment amount is reserved by our service and is paid to the Contractor only after receiving confirmation from you about the completion of the stage.

If the service is not provided, the funds are returned to you. The service takes on all financial risks and acts as a guarantor and custodian of funds, and in case of disputes between the parties, acts as an independent Arbitrator.

Your money is in safe hands!